Breast Cancer Awareness

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and is the second leading cause of cancer death.

Cancer is a disease of the genome. It’s caused by accumulation of mutations in genes that are critical to the control of cell growth and division or repair of damaged DNA, leading to uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cancerous cells. Such mutations may be acquired (called somatic mutations) or inherited (germline mutations).

Risk Factors

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can increase the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer up to 80% and account for approximately 10% of all breast cancers. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that a single copy of the gene with mutation is sufficient to increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer.

There are also numerous other genes associated with increased risk for developing breast cancer, including TP53, PTEN, CDH1, PALB2 and STK11.

What is Genomix?

Next generation sequencing technologies allow for screening of these genes associated with increased hereditary risk for developing breast cancer.

Genomix (genomix.co), a social enterprise based at University of Sydney, is taking advantage of this technology to help women concerned about family history of breast cancer access early genetic testing for prevention.